Display device and method for providing VR image

ABSTRACT

Provided is a display device including: left and right displays that are spaced apart from each other; left and right lens groups respectively located at the rear of the left display and the rear of the right display; left and right display housings configured to surround the left and right displays and the left and right lens groups; a main frame provided between the left and right display housings; a connection structure capable of adjusting an angle between the main frame and a connector electrically connected to an external electronic device; and electronic components provided inside the main frame.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a display device and a method ofproviding a virtual reality (VR) image.

BACKGROUND ART

A user may view an image obtained by capturing a 3-dimensional (3D)space, by wearing a virtual reality (VR) device on his or her head. Theuser may turn his or her head while viewing the image and the VR devicereproduces the image according to a direction in which the user's headis facing.

The VR device is manufactured to be wearable on the head, and the usermay view a VR image while wearing the VR device on his or her head. TheVR image is a 360° rotatable image.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Technical Problem

Provided are a display device and a method of providing a virtualreality (VR) image.

Also, provided is a computer-readable recording medium having recordedthereon a program which, when executed by a computer, performs themethod.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a display deviceincludes: left and right displays that are spaced apart from each other;left and right lens groups respectively located at the rear of the leftdisplay and the rear of the right display; left and right displayhousings configured to surround the left and right displays and the leftand right lens groups; a main frame provided between the left and rightdisplay housings; a connection structure capable of adjusting an anglebetween the main frame and a connector electrically connected to anexternal electronic device; and electronic components provided insidethe main frame.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofproviding, by an electronic device, a virtual reality (VR) image to adisplay device, the method includes: identifying a connection betweenthe electronic device and the display device; displaying a list of VRimages; receiving, from a user, an input of selecting a VR image fromthe list; changing a display mode to a touch mode; and transmitting theVR image to the display device, wherein the transmitting of the VR imageincludes transmitting a changed VR image according to a touch inputreceived from the user in the touch mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for describing a method of providing avirtual reality (VR) image, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing a connection between a display deviceand an electronic device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing adjusting an angle of a displaydevice, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing rotating a display device, accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a display device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a rear diagram of a display device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing folding a display device, accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing a connection structure in detail.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a bearing according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a bearing according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing a bearing according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing an assembling structure of a displaydevice, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for describing a display device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing a method by which a user rotates aVR image by using an electronic device.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method of providing a VR image, according toan embodiment.

BEST MODE

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure will now be describedmore fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in manydifferent forms, and should not be construed as being limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the concept of the one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the followingdescription, well-known functions or constructions are not described indetail since they would obscure the one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure with unnecessary detail, and like reference numeralsin the drawings denote like or similar elements throughout thespecification.

All terms including descriptive or technical terms which are used hereinshould be construed as having meanings that are obvious to one ofordinary skill in the art. However, the terms may have differentmeanings according to an intention of one of ordinary skill in the art,precedent cases, or the appearance of new technologies. Also, some termsmay be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, themeaning of the selected terms will be described in detail in thedetailed description of the disclosure. Thus, the terms used herein haveto be defined based on the meaning of the terms together with thedescription throughout the specification.

It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc.may be used herein to describe various components, these componentsshould not be limited by these terms. These components are only used todistinguish one component from another.

The terms used in the present specification are merely used to describeparticular embodiments, and are not intended to limit the presentdisclosure. An expression used in the singular encompasses theexpression in the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning inthe context. Also, in the specification, when a region is “connected” toanother region, the regions may not only be “directly connected”, butmay also be “electrically connected” via another device therebetween.Also, when a part “includes” or “comprises” an element, unless there isa particular description contrary thereto, the part can further includeother elements, not excluding the other elements.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the disclosure (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural. Also the steps of all methods described herein can be performedin any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwiseclearly contradicted by context.

The phrase “some embodiments” or “an embodiment” used variously hereindoes not necessarily indicate the same embodiment.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may be described in terms offunctional block components and various processing steps. Suchfunctional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and/orsoftware components configured to perform the specified functions. Forexample, the present disclosure may be implemented by one or moremicroprocessors or by circuit components for certain functions. Also,for example, the functional blocks of the present disclosure may beimplemented using any programming or scripting language. The functionalblocks may be implemented in algorithms that execute on one or moreprocessors. Furthermore, the present disclosure could employ any numberof conventional techniques for electronics configuration, signalprocessing and/or control, data processing and the like. The words“mechanism” and “element” are used broadly and are not limited tomechanical or physical embodiments, but can include software routines inconjunction with processors, etc.

Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the variousfigures presented are intended to represent exemplary functionalrelationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the variouselements. It should be noted that many alternative or additionalfunctional relationships, physical connections or logical connectionsmay be present in a practical device.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail withreference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for describing a method of providing avirtual reality (VR) image, according to an embodiment. A user may viewa VR image through a display device 100. An electronic device 200 maytransmit the VR image to the display device 100, and the display device100 may reproduce the VR image.

The user may view the VR image without having to fix the display device100 on a head. The display device 100 does not include a structure beingsupported by the head of the user. Alternatively, the display device 100is fixed to the electronic device 200. The user may view the VR image byholding the display device 100 to the eyes while holding the electronicdevice 200.

The user may rotate the VR image by touching a screen of the electronicdevice 200. The electronic device 200 receives a touch input of theuser, and determines a direction of the VR image according to adirection of the touch input. The electronic device 200 may transmit theVR image to the display device 100 according to the determineddirection. Accordingly, the user may rotate the VR image via the touchinput, without having to rotate the head.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing a connection between a display deviceand an electronic device, according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG.2 , the display device 100 and the electronic device 200 are connectedto each other via a connection structure 130. The connection structure130 may maintain positions of the display device 100 and the electronicdevice 200.

The display device 100 includes a left display housing 110, a rightdisplay housing 120, the connection structure 130, and a main frame 140.The left display housing 110 is configured to surround a left displayand a left lens group. The right display housing 120 is configured tosurround a right display and a right lens group.

The connection structure 130 fixes the electronic device 200 and thedisplay device 100 to each other. The connection structure 130 includesa holder 134, and the electronic device 200 and the display device 100are fixed by using the holder 134.

An angle of the connection structure 130 may be adjustable with respectto the main frame 140. An angle of the connection structure 130 may beadjusted. Also, an external structure may be rotatable in an axialdirection with respect to the main frame 140. Angle adjustment androtation of the connection structure 130 are described in detail withreference to FIGS. 3 and 4 .

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing adjusting an angle of a displaydevice, according to an embodiment.

The angle of the connection structure 130 of the display device 100 isadjustable back and forth. The connection structure 130 includes atleast one hinge. The user may connect the display device 100 and theelectronic device 200, and then adjust an angle between the displaydevice 100 and the electronic device 200 by using the hinge. The hingeincludes a friction member having a frictional force, and the angle isadjusted only when a force equal to or stronger than certain strength isapplied. Accordingly, the angle is fixed as long as the user does notapply the force equal to or stronger than the certain strength. Forexample, the friction member may be a friction pad or a spring.

When the connection structure 130 includes two hinges, the user mayadjust each of an angle between the display device 100 and theconnection structure 130 and an angle between the electronic device 200and the connection structure 130. The user may adjust an angle to bemost comfortable when the electronic device 200 is held and the displaydevice 100 is brought close to the face.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing rotating a display device, accordingto an embodiment.

The connection structure 130 of the display device 100 is rotatable 360°around a shaft. The connection structure 130 may further include abearing structure, and the user may rotate the display device 100 andthe electronic device 200 around the shaft by using the bearingstructure. A rotating direction of a bearing is a directionperpendicular to a rotating direction of the hinge.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a display device according to anembodiment.

The display device 100 includes an arm structure. The arm structureincludes first and second hinges 131 and 132, and the first and secondhinges 131 and 132 are connected by a bar 133. The first hinge 131adjusts an angle between the bar 133 and the main frame 140. The secondhinge 132 adjusts an angle between the bar 133 and the electronic device200. The second hinge 132 is connected to the main frame 140.

The holder 134 fixes the display device 100 and the electronic device200. The holder 134 may be manufactured in such a manner that theoutside of the electronic device 200 may be held, but a form of theholder 134 is not limited thereto, and any form capable of fixing thedisplay device 100 and the electronic device 200 may be used.

An auxiliary support 300 may be connected to the first hinge 131 or thesecond hinge 132. In FIG. 5 , the auxiliary support 300 is connected tothe second hinge 132. The user may adjust an angle between the auxiliarysupport 300 and the display device 100.

The auxiliary support 300 may be attached to or detached from thedisplay device 100. The user may use the auxiliary support 300 byattaching the auxiliary support 300 to the connection structure 130 onlywhen required. The auxiliary support 300 may be used to prevent the armof the user from becoming numb when the user is viewing the VR image fora long period of time.

The display device 100 further includes a contact structure 160. Thecontact structure 160 is adhered to the face of the user such that thedisplay device 100 does not shake and ambient light is blocked toenhance an immersive experience of the user.

For example, the contact structure 160 may be a bellow-type structure.Alternatively, the contact structure 160 may be formed of rubber.

The contact structure 160 may be provided to surround a left lens group112 and a right lens group 122. Also, the contact structure 160 may beprovided at the edge of the left and right display housings 110 and 120.

A nose hole 170 denotes a space where the noise of the user may belocated when the user adheres the display device 100 to the face. Thenose hole 170 may be formed between the left display housing 110 and theright display housing 120.

FIG. 6 is a rear diagram of a display device according to an embodiment.

The main frame 140 is located at the center of the display device 100.The left display housing 110 is located at the left of the main frame140, and the right display housing 120 is located at the right of themain frame 140.

The connection structure 130 may be connected to the main frame 140. Theconnection structure 130 includes the first hinge 131, the second hinge132, the bar 133, the holder 134, and a bearing 136. The bearing 136 mayhave a cylindrical shape or a ball joint shape.

The connection structure 130 may surround a connector 135. The connector135 is located inside the holder 134 to be connected to the electronicdevice 200. The display device 100 and the electronic device 200exchange data or a VR image through the connector 135. The VR image istransmitted to the main frame 140 through the connector 135.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing folding a display device, accordingto an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7 , the left display housing 110 andthe right display housing 120 are each folded by 90°. The left displayhousing 110 rotates 90° based on the first hinge 131 and the rightdisplay housing 120 rotates 90° based on the second hinge 132.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing a connection structure in detail.

The holder 134 may be provided at two sides. The connector 135 may beprovided between the two holders 134. The holder 134 may include afriction member 137 on a surface contacting the electronic device 200.The friction member 137 may be provided inside the holder 134. Thefriction member 137 may be formed of a material having high frictionalcoefficient, such as rubber.

The bearing 136 may have a cylindrical shape or a ball shape, and mayrotate 360°.

The bearing 136 may be in a flexible state or may be fixed based on adistance between the display device 100 and the user. The flexible statedenotes a state in which the display device 100 does not shake even whenthe user moves slightly while holding the electronic device 200. Also,the bearing 136 being fixed denotes a state in which the display device100 is movable according to movement of the user.

The main frame 140 controls a state of the bearing 136, based on thedistance between the display device 100 and the user, the distancemeasured by a proximity sensor. For example, a processor of the mainframe 140 may control the bearing 136 to be in the flexible state when adistance between the display device 100 and the face of the user isequal to or lower than a threshold value. When the display device 100approaches the face of the user, the processor controls the bearing 136to be in the flexible state such that the display device 100 does notshake even when the electronic device 200 shakes.

For example, the proximity sensor may be an infrared (IR) sensor, andmay be provided at the left display housing 110 or the right displayhousing 120. When the display device 100 does not include the proximitysensor, the display device 100 may calculate the distance between thedisplay device 100 and the user by receiving a signal from a proximitysensor 230 of the electronic device 200.

On the other hand, the processor controls the bearing 136 to be fixedwhen the distance between the display device 100 and the face of theuser is higher than the threshold value. When the user is not viewing aVR image, the processor may control the bearing 136 to be fixed. Forexample, the processor may fix the bearing 136 by applying a current toan electromagnet located around the bearing 136. When the bearing 136 isa magnetic substance, the bearing 136 and the electromagnet may be fixedvia a magnetic force by applying a current to the electromagnet.

A left display 121 and a right display (not shown) may be a miniaturizeddisplay. For example, the left display 121 and the right display may bea liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting display(OLED).

The left lens group 112 and the right lens group 122 are lens units forenlarging an image. The left lens group 112 and the right lens group 122each include at least one lens.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a bearing according to an embodiment.A ball joint 180 of FIG. 9 may replace the bearing 136 of FIG. 7 .

The connection structure 130 may include the ball joint 180. The balljoint 180 enables the display device 100 and the electronic device 200to tilt and rotate.

The ball joint 180 includes a ball 181 and a ball housing 182. The ballhousing 182 surrounds the ball 181. The ball 181 freely rotates withinthe ball housing 182.

Looking at a sectional view of the ball joint 180, the connectionstructure 130 may further include a locking lever 183. The locking lever183 may fix the ball 181. The locking lever 183 may be in a lockingposition or an unlocking position 184, and may be driven by the user orelectronically. For example, the locking lever 183 may move according tothe distance between the display device 100 and the face of the user.When the distance between the display device 100 and the face of theuser is equal to or lower than a threshold value, the locking lever 183is arranged in the unlocking position 184. On the other hand, when thedisplay device 100 and the face of the user is higher than the thresholdvalue, the locking lever 183 is arranged in the locking position. Thedistance between the display device 100 and the face of the user may bemeasured by a proximity sensor. Accordingly, the locking lever 183 maybe arranged in the locking position or the unlocking position 184automatically, based on the distance measured by the proximity sensor.

The locking position is a region where the locking lever 183 isdisplayed in solid lines in FIG. 9 , and the unlocking position 184 is aregion where the locking lever 183 is displayed in broken lines in FIG.9 .

The locking lever 183 may include a protrusion, and the ball 181 mayinclude a groove. When the protrusion is coupled to the groove, the ball181 may no longer move and be fixed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a bearing according to anotherembodiment. Referring to FIG. 10 , a ball 191 and a ball housing 192 maybe spaced apart from each other by a magnetic force. The ball 191 mayinclude a magnet. Alternatively, a surface of the ball 191 may beconfigured to be a magnet. The ball housing 192 include anelectromagnet. The ball 191 has a magnetic property by applyingelectricity to the electromagnet, such that the ball 191 and the ballhousing 192 have the same polarity. The ball 191 and the ball housing192 having the same polarity are spaced apart from each other by arepulsive force.

The processor may apply a current to the electromagnet according to asignal received from the proximity sensor. The processor may calculatethe distance between the display device 100 and the face of the user,based on the signal received from the proximity sensor, and apply thecurrent to the electromagnet when the calculated distance is equal to orlower than the threshold value. In other words, while the user isviewing the VR image, the processor applies the current to theelectromagnet to separate the ball 191 and the ball housing 192 so as toprevent the display device 100 from shaking due to hand shaking of theuser.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing a bearing according to anotherembodiment. Referring to FIG. 10 , the ball 191 and the ball housing 192may be spaced apart from each other by a fastener 193. The fastener 193may be loosened or fastened with respect to the ball housing 192 by amotor 194. When the fastener 193 is fastened, the ball 191 and the ballhousing 192 contact each other. When the fastener 193 is loosened, theball 191 and the ball housing 192 are spaced apart from each other. Themotor 194 is fixed to the ball housing 192, and the fastener 193 pushesthe ball 191 while being loosened, and thus the ball 191 and the ballhousing 192 are spaced apart from each other.

The processor may drive the motor 194 according to a signal receivedfrom the proximity sensor. The processor may calculate the distancebetween the display device 100 and the face of the user, based on thesignal received from the proximity sensor, and drive the motor 194 whenthe calculated distance is equal to or lower than the threshold value.In other words, while the user is viewing a VR image, the processor mayseparate the ball 191 and the ball housing 192 from each other bydriving the motor 194, to prevent the display device 100 from shakingdue to hand shaking of the user.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing an assembling structure of a displaydevice, according to an embodiment.

The left display housing 110 and the right display housing 120 mayfurther include assembling structures 400 at the ends. The assemblingstructures 400 fix the left display housing 110 and the right displayhousing 120 when the left and right display housings 110 and 120 arefolded. For example, the assembling structures 400 may include a grooveand a protrusion, wherein the groove and the protrusion are coupled tobe fixed to each other. The left display housing 110 may include thegroove at the end, and the right display housing 120 may include theprotrusion at the end.

As another example, the assembling structure 400 may be a magnet. AnN-pole magnet may be provided at the end of the left display housing110, and an S-pole magnet may be provided at the end of the rightdisplay housing 120. Accordingly, when the left and right displayhousings 110 and 120 are folded, the N-pole and the S-pole contact eachother, and thus the left and right display housings 110 and 120 may befixed to each other.

The groove and the protrusion, and the magnets are only examples of theassembling structure 400, and the assembling structure 400 may have anystructure as long as the left and right display housings 110 and 120 arefixed to each other.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for describing a display device according to anembodiment.

The left display housing 110 includes a lens (L) and a micro display(L). The left display housing 110 is configured to surround the lens (L)and the micro display (L). The left display housing 110 is connected tothe main frame 140 through a left hinge 151.

The right display housing 120 includes a lens (R) and a micro display(R). The right display housing 120 is configured to surround the lens(R) and the micro display (R). The right display housing 120 isconnected to the main frame 140 through a right hinge 152.

The main frame 140 includes an interface and a processor. The main frame140 includes an audio system (L), an audio system (R), a videocontroller, an audio controller, a reception interface, a processor, aproximity sensor, a charging circuit, a battery, the connectionstructure 130, and the connector 135. The processor controls theproximity sensor, the charging circuit, the audio controller, the videocontroller, and the reception interface. The reception interfaceseparates a video signal and an audio signal received from theelectronic device 200. The audio controller transmits the audio signalto the left audio system (L) and the right audio system (R). The videocontroller transmits the video signal to the left micro display (L) andthe right micro display (R).

The connector 135 is connected to the electronic device 200, and thedisplay device 100 transmits and receives data to and from theelectronic device 200 through the connector 135.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing a method by which a user rotates aVR image by using an electronic device. The user may rotate the VR imageby touching a display 220 of the electronic device 200. The electronicdevice 200 may transmit the rotated VR image to the display device 100,according to a touch input of the user.

Based on a second image 1220, a first image 1210 indicates an image whenthe user touches left direction and a third image 1230 indicates animage when the user touches right direction.

The electronic device 200 may not only detect directions shown in FIG.14 , but also a direction of the touch input of the user, and transmitthe VR image rotated in the detected direction to the display device100.

The electronic device 200 may determine a rotating angle of the VRimage, according to a dragging speed of the user. For example, theelectronic device 200 may determine a larger rotating angle when thedragging speed of the user is high. On the other hand, the electronicdevice 200 determines a smaller rotating angle when the dragging speedof the user is low. The electronic device 200 transmits the VR imagerotated in the determined rotating angle to the display device 100.

The electronic device 200 may transmit, to the display device 100, ascreen in which the VR image is rotated or a viewpoint of the VR imageis moved, based on a type of the touch input of the user. For example,when the user inputs a one point touch-and-drag input, the electronicdevice 200 rotates the VR image. When the user inputs a two pointstouch-and-drag input, the electronic device 200 may move the viewpointin the VR image.

In detail, as shown in FIG. 14 , when the user touches and drags thedisplay 220 with one finger, the VR image is rotated in a draggeddirection. The electronic device 200 transmits the VR image changedaccording to the dragged direction of the user to the display device100.

When the user touches and drags the display 220 with two fingers, theviewpoint is moved within the VR image in a dragged direction. In otherwords, when the user touches and drags the display 220 with two fingers,the electronic device 200 transmits, to the display device 100, an imageobtained as the viewpoint is moved forward, backward, or transverselywithin the VR image. For example, when the user touches the display 220and drags from top to bottom with two fingers, the electronic device 200transmits an image when the viewpoint is moved forward, to the displaydevice 100. When the user touches the display 220 and then drags fromleft to right with two fingers, the electronic device 200 transmits animage in which the viewpoint is moved to the right, to the displaydevice 100.

The electronic device 200 may determine a moved distance in the VR imageaccording to a speed of the user touching two points and then dragging.For example, when a dragging speed of the user is high, the electronicdevice 200 may determine a long moved distance. On the other hand, whenthe dragging speed of the user is low, the electronic device 200 maydetermine a short moved distance. The electronic device 200 transmitsthe VR image moved by the determined moved distance, to the displaydevice 100.

As another example, the electronic device 200 may enlarge or reduce theVR image. When the user inputs the two points touch-and-drag input, butdragged directions of the two points are not the same, the electronicdevice 200 may enlarge or reduce the VR image. In other words, when thedragged directions of the two points are the same, the electronic device200 moves the viewpoint of the VR image, and when the dragged directionsof the two points are not the same, the electronic device 200 enlargesor reduces the VR image.

For example, when the two points are dragged in a direction away fromeach other, the electronic device 200 enlarges the VR image, and whenthe two points are dragged in a direction approaching each other, theelectronic device 200 reduces the VR image. The electronic device 200transmits the enlarged or reduced VR image to the display device 100.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to anembodiment. In FIG. 15 , the electronic device 200 includes a processor210, the display 220, the proximity sensor 230, and a memory 240, butthe electronic device 200 may further include other electroniccomponents, a universal serial bus (USB) terminal, a mobilehigh-definition link (MHL) terminal, etc.

The processor 210 controls the display 220. The processor 210 determinesa screen to be displayed on the display 220. The processor 210 maydisplay lists of VR images on the display 220 after identifying aconnection with the display device 100.

Also, the processor 210 executes a program or an application related tothe display device 100 after identifying the connection with the displaydevice 100. The processor 210 may access a website providing a VR image.

The user may select one VR image from a displayed list of VR images, andthe processor 210 transmits the selected VR image to the display device100. The VR image may be downloaded through the Internet or stored in amemory.

The processor 210 receives a user input from the display 220. Theprocessor 210 may change a state of the display 220 or transmit data tothe display device 100, according to the user input.

The processor 210 may transmit a VR image to the display device 100,based on a signal received from the proximity sensor 230. The proximitysensor 230 measures a distance between the electronic device 200 and theuser, and outputs the measured distance to the processor 210. Theprocessor 210 may determine whether to transmit a VR image to thedisplay device 100, based on the measured distance. For example, theprocessor 210 transmits the VR image to the display device 100 when themeasured distance is equal to or lower than a threshold value.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method of providing a VR image, according toan embodiment.

In operation 1610, the electronic device 200 identifies a connectionbetween the electronic device 200 and the display device 100. Theelectronic device 200 may execute a program or an application when theelectronic device 200 and the display device 100 are connected to eachother.

In operation 1620, when the electronic device 200 and the display device100 are connected to each other, the electronic device 200 displays alist of VR images on the display 220. The list may be VR images providedfrom the Internet or VR images stored in the memory 240.

In operation 1630, the electronic device 200 receives, from the user, aninput of selecting one VR image from the list.

In operation 1640, the electronic device 200 changes a display mode to atouch mode. The display mode denotes a state in which content, an image,or the like is provided to the display 220. The touch mode denotes astate prepared to receive a touch input from the user. A touch input ofthe user received in the touch mode determines a direction of the VRimage. In the touch mode, the electronic device 200 may not displayanything on the display 220. The electronic device 200 may receive thetouch input of the user even when a screen is turned off.

In operation 1650, the electronic device 200 transmits the VR image tothe display device 100, and transmits the VR image changed according tothe touch input received from the user in the touch mode. The electronicdevice 200 may measure the distance between the electronic device 200and the user, and determine whether to transmit the VR image, based onthe measured distance. For example, the electronic device 200 maytransmit the VR image when the measured distance is equal to or lowerthan a threshold value. The electronic device 200 does not transmit theVR image when the measured distance is higher than the threshold value.

When the measured distance is equal to or lower than the thresholdvalue, the user may have approached the face to the display device 100to view the VR image. When the measured distance is equal to or higherthan the threshold value, the user is not viewing the VR image, and thusthe electronic device 200 does not transmit the VR image.

Operations described in FIG. 16 may be stored in the memory 240 orexecuted by the processor 210, in a form of programs.

A user may view a VR image without having to wear a display device onthe head.

The display device may be connected and fixed to an electronic devicethrough a connection structure.

The embodiments of the present disclosure can be written as computerprograms and can be implemented in general-use digital computers thatexecute the programs using a non-transitory computer-readable recordingmedium. Also, a structure of data used in the above embodiments may berecorded on the non-transitory computer-readable recording medium viavarious manners. Also, the above embodiments may be implemented in aform of a recording medium including instructions executable by acomputer, such as a computer-executed program module. For example,methods implemented in software modules or algorithms may be stored inthe non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, ascomputer-readable and executable codes or program commands.

The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium may be anarbitrary recording medium accessible by a computer, and examplesthereof include all volatile and non-volatile media and separable andnon-separable media. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium include magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppydisks, hard disks, etc.), optical recording media (e.g., CD-ROMs, orDVDs), etc. Further, examples of the non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium may include a computer storage medium and acommunication medium.

Also, the non-transitory computer-readable recording medium can also bedistributed over network coupled computer systems, and data (forexample, program instructions and codes) stored in the non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium is executed by at least one computer.

Terms such as “unit” and “module” indicate a unit for processing atleast one function or operation, wherein the unit and the block may beembodied as hardware or software or embodied by combining hardware andsoftware.

The “unit” may be formed so as to be in an addressable storage medium,or may be formed so as to operate one or more processors.

For example, the term “unit” may refer to components such as softwarecomponents, object-oriented software components, class components, andtask components, and may include processes, functions, attributes,procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware,micro codes, circuits, data, a database, data structures, tables,arrays, or variables.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a left displayand a right display that are spaced apart from each other; a left lensgroup located at a rear of the left display; a right lens group locatedat a rear of the right display; a left display housing configured tosurround the left display and the left lens group; a right displayhousing configured to surround the right display and the right lensgroup; a main frame provided between the left and right displayhousings; a connection structure comprising: a holder configured toreceive an external device and fix an external electronic device to thedisplay device; and a connector configured to be electrically connectedto the external electronic device, wherein the connection structure isconfigured to adjust an angle between the main frame and the connector;and electronic components provided inside the main frame.
 2. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein the connection structure comprises a hingecapable of adjusting a tilting angle of the main frame.
 3. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein the connection structure comprises a bearingrotatable with respect to the main frame.
 4. The display device of claim3, further comprising a proximity sensor configured to measure adistance between the display device and a user, and wherein the mainframe is configured to fix the bearing, based on the measured distance.5. The display device of claim 1, wherein the connection structurecomprises a ball joint rotatable with respect to the main frame, andwherein the ball joint comprises a rotatable ball and a ball housingsurrounding the rotatable ball.
 6. The display device of claim 5,wherein the connection structure further comprises a locking lever, andwherein the locking lever comprises a protrusion to fix the rotatableball by being coupled to a groove of the rotatable ball.
 7. The displaydevice of claim 5, wherein the rotatable ball comprises a magnet on asurface and the ball housing comprises an electromagnet, and wherein therotatable ball and the ball housing are spaced apart from each otherwhen electricity is applied to the electromagnet while a virtual reality(VR) image is reproduced.
 8. The display device of claim 5, wherein theball housing comprises a motor and a fastener, and wherein the rotatableball and the ball housing are spaced apart from each other by drivingthe motor to unfasten the fastener while a virtual reality (VR) image isreproduced.
 9. The display device of claim 1, wherein each of the leftand right display housings is foldable with respect to the main frame.10. The display device of claim 1, further comprising an assemblingstructure at an end of each of the left and right display housings,wherein the left and right display housings are fixed by the assemblingstructure when the left and right display housings are folded.
 11. Thedisplay device of claim 1, further comprising a proximity sensorconfigured to measure a distance between the display device and a user,wherein the left and right displays are turned on or off according tothe distance.